Stats show Arsenal's crippling decline compared to last season

Premier League title contenders Arsenal will be dismayed to find that they are much worse off than at this same stage this season, according to the latest statistics from data giants Opta, despite their relatively good position on the table.

Arsenal came close to ending Manchester City’s monopoly on the Premier League title last season, when they led the league table for most of the campaign, only to fall behind the Cityzens in the final weeks of the campaign.

The Gunners had hoped to mount another title challenge this season after gaining some much-needed experience from the last campaign; however, things have not gone to plan for the London club.

Despite having the chance to finish 2023 at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Fulham in the last match of the year, Arsenal have still been worse off in terms of points at this stage of the season compared to last year.

After 19 games of the 2023/24 season, Arsenal have managed a respectable 40 points, which puts them second on the Premier League table. However, in the 2022/23 season, the Gunners had collected 50 points after 19 matches, leaving them 10 points off their own pace.

According to the data collected by Opta, Arsenal are the worst side in the Premier League when it comes to point differentials between last season and this season, with only minnows Fulham being as bad as 10 points off their own pace.

Newcastle and Manchester United are also down in the doldrums and are nine and eight points behind their points tally from last season.

In contrast, West Ham have been the most improved team in the league, earning 18 more points than the previous season, while Aston Villa and Liverpool are close behind, with 14 and 13 more points earned each.

It is a testament to Liverpool’s upward trajectory that they are also at the top of the Premier League table at the moment after failing to finish in the top four in the preevious campaign.